A three-day conference centered around the science of human milk will bring together world-renowned scientists and clinicians at the Langham Hotel in Pasadena to present the latest research on the applications of human milk.

The fourth annual International Conference on Human Milk Science and Innovation, which started Wednesday and will runs through this afternoon, will present discussions about potential applications of human milk for the gut and the microbiome in premature infants, according to a statement released to the media.

Over the past four years, the International Conference on Human Milk Science and Innovation has become a leading forum for thought-leaders and medical experts to share and discuss the newest biological, clinical and applied aspects of human milk and human milk-based nutrition.

“Since the inception of this conference, there has been an incredible evolution in the scientific advancements surrounding human milk,” said Doctor William Rhine of Stanford University’s School of Medicine in the press release.

Rhine went on to praise the keynote speaker of the event, Doctor Ruth Lawrence of the University of Rochester’s Medical Center, a pioneering scientist in human lactation and breast milk research.

“This year, we’re honored to have Ruth Lawrence at the conference. As a pioneer in the field of human lactation, Ruth was the first to champion the benefits of human milk and we stand on her shoulders as we continue to unlock the power of human milk in the NICU and beyond,” Rhine said in the media release.

Human milk has the unique characteristic of adapting to the needs of individual human infants. For example, if a baby is born prematurely, its mother’s milk will have a higher nitrogen content compared to mothers of babies born on time to compensate, according to research done by the Medical Branch of Texas University.

Another major benefit of human milk is its ease of consumption. According to Texas University’s research, human milk contains about 70 percent whey protein and 30 percent casein protein, a ratio opposite to that of bovine milk, making it much easier to digest.

Other benefits include protection against Crohn’s disease and lymphoma, improved long-term cognitive and motor skills, a decreased risk of asthma and incidences of urinary tract infections, and bolstered bond between mother and child, according to Texas University’s research.